Long before gay marriage was popular, Kamala Harris was at the forefront of the equal rights battle

This is new to me. whow. Good on Kamala!!



Long before gay marriage was popular, Kamala Harris was at the forefront of the equal rights battle

https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-gay-marriage-california-democrats-fddf134333112ed1ae2b87b548b54435

By DAN MERICA and CHRIS MEGERIAN


Updated 9:41 AM CDT, September 15, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two decades ago, when a Democratic presidential nominee wouldn’t dream of endorsing gay marriage, a newly elected district attorney named Kamala Harris was performing one of the first same-sex unions in the United States.

It was the so-called Winter of Love in San Francisco. The mayor at the time, Gavin Newsom, had directed the county clerk to approve gay marriages even though there was no law on the books recognizing them. His act of rebellion prompted a bipartisan political backlash, but Harris had no hesitation.

“You could tell she was so overwhelmed and had so much joy about performing this ceremony,” said Brad Witherspoon, whose marriage to Raymond Cobane was officiated by Harris on Valentine’s Day 2004.

The moment represents a stark difference between Harris and all previous Democratic presidential nominees, who didn’t begin their political careers as gay marriage supporters. Four years after the Winter of Love, the issue was still off the table during the party’s primary. And it took another four years for Democratic President Barack Obama, running for reelection against Republican Mitt Romney, to back gay marriage.


For LGBTQ leaders, Harris’ history validates their deep support for the Democratic nominee.


“It’s not just that she held a position in support of fundamental equality for gay and lesbian couples. A lot of politicians take positions and hold positions,” said Chad Griffin, former head of the Human Rights Campaign, who is on Harris’ national fundraising committee. “Fewer actually roll up their sleeves and use their power to make lives better.”...................

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